AND

THE PRISON-WORLD OF EUROPE.

From Original and Authentic Documents.

BY

HEPWORTH DIXON.

WITH AN INTRODUCTORY ESSAY

BY RICHARD W. DICKINSON, D.D.

"HE LIVED An Apostle, aND DIED A MARTYR."

BENTHAM (trans.)

SLIGHTLY ABRIDGED.

NEW YORK:

ROBERT CARTER & BROTHERS,
No. 285 BROADWAY.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

THE PRISON WORLD BEFORE THE DAYS OF HOWARD.

Prison Science at the Dawn of the eighteenth Century-Inter-

esting Discovery-Dr. Bray-His Labors and Writings-

Vast Abuses in Prisons-Suggestions for Reform-Parlia-

mentary Commission of Inquiry-Startling Disclosures of

the Metropolitan Gaols-The Marshalsea-Master Debtors

and common Debtors-Case of Thomas Bliss-Torture em-

ployed for Sport-The Dead and the Living: a disgusting

Cruelty-The Fleet-The Wardenship Private Property-

Treatment of Prisoners-Connivance at Escapes-Defiance

of the Law-Sponging-Houses-Case of Mr. Castell-Power

of Money-Sufferings of Captain Mackpheadris-Avarice

and Malice—Case of Captain David Sinclair

CHAPTER II.

YOUTH-EDUCATION-SUFFERING.

Uncertainty as to the Place and Date of Howard's Birth-His

Parentage--Childhood Common-place-Early Education-

Rev. Mr. Worsley-Sent to School in London-John Eames,

the F.R.S.-Howard's Schoolfellow, Price-Nature and

Intention of Howard's Education-Bound Apprentice to a

Grocer-Independence of Labor versus Independence of

Property--Life in the Warehouse, its Results in the Forma-

tion of Character-Death of the elder Howard-His Will-

Howard's first Journey into France and Italy-Dilettantism

-His Love of Art-His Return to England-Sickness-His

first Marriage-Death of his Wife-Leaves for Lisbon-Is

captured by a French Privateer-Dungeons of Brest-Hor-

rible Sufferings-His Release-His Philanthropic Efforts in

favor of other Captives crowned with Success

PAGE

31

58

CHAPTER III.

HOME LIFE AT CARDINGTON.

Howard settles at Cardington-His Way of Life there-Philos-

ophy of Labor-Henrietta Leeds-Howard's second Mar-

riage-Curious Domestic Treaty-Lack of Sincerity in the

World-Howard's Intellectual and Moral building up-

Puritanism and the Classics-Howard's scientific Studies-

Made F.R.S.-Contributions to the Society's Transactions

-Hebrew Ideas in his Character-Building and Planting-

Strange Heresies regarding Property-Removal to Witcombe

-Tactics of a Military Neighbor-Hostilities overcome-

Return to Cardington-Alterations-Model Cottages and

Schools-The Education of the Poor-Rapid Improvement

of the Village-The Whitbread Family-Sudden Death of

Mrs. Howard-Her Husband's Affection

PAGE

88

CHAPTER IV.

DISCIPLINE OF A WOUNDED SPIRIT.

Howard's Child-His Notions of the Paternal Office-His

Affection impugned-Testimony of Dr. Aikin-Origin of the

Slander-His Boy sent to School-Local Trips-His Health

breaking up-Advised to go to Italy-The Pilgrimage-

Route, and Reflections by the Way-Extracts from his

private Memoranda and Letters-Reaches Turin, and Rea-

sons for Returning-France, Geneva, and Holland-Letter

from Abbeville-Relapse-Ordered back to the South-

Howard's deepening Piety-Rationale of Religious Fervor

-Reflections at Lyons-Route thence to Rome-A Letter

-Naples-Makes a solemn Covenant to devote himself to

the Service of God and Mankind-Returns to Rome-Re-

flection there-Heidelberg-Character of Howard's Piety-

Final Results of this peculiar Pilgrimage-Return to Eng-

land

, 120

CHAPTER V.

THE CRUSADE COMMENCED.

PAGE

Howard appointed Sheriff of Bedford-Disabilities of Dissent-

ers-He determines to brave the Pains and Penalties-No-

tions of a Sheriff's Function-Howard's Reading of the Part

-Commences the Inspection of Prisons-Bedford Gaol and

old John Bunyan-The abominable Fee System-How it

operated-Howard proposes to abolish it-Search of a

Precedent-Prisons of Cambridge, Leicester, Nottingham,

Gloucester, &c.-Tour through the Southern Counties-

Christmas at Cardington-Dreadful State of York Castle-

"Sick and in Prison"-An Episcopal Gaol-London-

Prisons of Exeter-The Rolle Trust, and how it was ad-

ministered-Blue Jackets in Distress--Gaol at Launceston

-Public Attention excited-Mr. Popham's Motion-How-

ard examined, and thanked by the House of Commons . 144

CHAPTER VI.

THE PRISON-WORLD OF ENGLAND.

Prisons of the Metropolis-The Marshalsea-Horrible State

of the High Gaol of Durham--Newcastle-upon-Tyne--

Morpeth-Chester--Criminality in Wales-Repose, and more

Work-Bridewell of Clerkenwell-Tothill Fields--Condition

of the Fleet-Obscure Prisons at Whitechapel, Tower Ham-

lets, &c.-Borough Compter-Nell Gwynn's Charity--How-

ard at Cardington-Two New Laws passed, abolishing

certain Fees, and providing for the better Regulation of

Prisons-New Inquiries--How originated-Deplorable In-

cident-A model Dungeon-Howard returns Home-Parties

in Bedford-The Corporation versus Woburn Abbey-Jun-

ius, Horne Tooke, and the Duke of Bedford-Electioneering

-Howard and Whitbread stand for the Borough-The

Election and the Scrutiny-More Prison Inspections-The

Committee on Elections-Howard's Defeat, and its Results 165